About Galaxy Explorers

Galaxy Explorers has five main components

Museum Explainer Component

The primary purpose for the Galaxy Explorers is to
provide exciting public science education to enhance the visitor experience at
the science center or through outreach. This part of the program is required
regardless of rank or level in the program. A variety of methods can be used to
meet the monthly or requirements. For regular volunteers the minimum
requirement is 4 hours per month. The intern requirement is greater.

Monthly
workshops geared toward skill-building, leadership development, and college
planning take place at Chabot year around. Workshops are held every 2nd Saturday of the month from 10am - 1pm. Topics covered in the workshops include: public
speaking, diversity training, job interviewing, career planning, resume
development, personal budgeting, time management, and more. These sessions are
required for interns although volunteers are strongly encouraged to attend. All
program updates and new opportunities are presented during these workshops.

Special Interest Teams Component

A number
of special interest clubs have been developed for those Explorers who would
like to participate beyond the minimum hourly requirement. Participation in
these teams is not required. Membership lasts only one school semester at a
time and most teams do not meet during the summer months. Examples of teams are
Astronomy, News & Media, Enviro Team, and Community Outreach. Upon joining
a team, regular attendance is required.

Goals & Objectives: The Galaxy Explorers Program will...

Build skills and capacity in
investigating, understanding, and using scientific practices and
principles, particularly in technology, astronomy, earth science, and
environmental studies

Train youth as leaders by
having them participate in program planning, implementation, and
evaluation, and by developing skills such as public-speaking, mentoring
younger children, and acquiring science processing skills

Provide paid internships for
high school youth, offering them meaningful work experiences

Provide a safe haven for
youth to express themselves without fear of failure

Have students learn the
importance of giving back to the community by providing the opportunity to
conduct science activities for young children, give public presentations,
and perform other outreach opportunities in their own neighborhoods

Involve participants' families
in science activities at Chabot

Broaden participants' views
of science and scientists, enabling them to consider science as a
possibility for a college major or as a career choice

Prepare participants
educationally, technically, and socially for the workforce

Involve community-based
organizations in recruitment and retention of youth, in program design and
management, and in activities and evaluation